Tips for Mulching Citrus Trees

Maintain a layer of mulch around citrus trees year-round.

Most citrus trees thrive in well-drained, acidic soil and areas where weeds aren’t competing for vital nutrients. Mulching is beneficial to citrus trees, notes Master Gardeners of Orange County, but there’s more to the process than spreading anything you find on the garden center shelves.

Benefits of Mulching for Citrus Trees

Aside from cutting down on potential water loss, mulching citrus has several other benefits. According to the Master Gardeners of Orange County, spreading mulch around your citrus trees also maintains soil temperature, which is integral for root health. The prevention of weed germination is another perk. In the case of citrus trees, the absence of weeds cuts down on the need to dig or disturb the ground under the tree to remove the unwanted vegetation. This digging can damage the citrus tree’s shallow root system.

Choosing the Right Mulch

Organic mulch -- including grass clipping, wood chips or compost -- increases the amount of organic material in the soil, which enhance its structure and porosity. When choosing organic mulch, consider the product’s cost and availability. If you compost, this is an inexpensive option. Otherwise, reusing grass clipping or creating wood chips from a nearby downed tree are two other inexpensive options.

Spreading the Mulch

A 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch spread around the base of each citrus tree is enough to hold in moisture, regulate the soil temperature and prevent weed germination and growth. The University of California San Diego Cooperative Extension recommends maintaining this layer constantly throughout the year.

Preventing Root Rot

A common cause of root rot is lack of oxygen exposure, which can occur if the mulch is spread too close to the citrus tree’s trunk. To help eliminate the threat of root rot, spread the organic mulch at least six to 12 inches away from the citrus tree’s trunk. This prevents excessive moisture retention around the roots and allows for proper air circulation.